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I think the word preface refers to books. I have a small document that is in the form of a hierarchical outline. Before my document, I want to put a small paragraph with instructions how to consume the material. What should I title that small paragraph?

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I hope the instructions include butter and hot sauce, or it's going to be pretty tasteless. – StoneyB Dec 5 '12 at 21:48
Consummation Instructions? How to read? The best way to read this document? There are so many possibilities, and all of them are equally valid. – Matt Эллен Dec 6 '12 at 11:13

4 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

I have used "Summary", "Abstract", and "Overview" to provide the reader with a guide to the document and how it is organized. Generally, the notion of how to follow, understand, or "consume" the material is implicit in the wording of this section.

"Overview" is common in my industry. It is a word that is more explicit than "Introduction", putting the reader into the mindset that this is a summary of what the entire document is about, rather than just the first step into material.

If you want to be explicit on how the document should be read, there is nothing wrong with saying so in the section having this title (overview, summary, abstract).

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up vote 4 down vote

Besides already-mentioned preface, introduction, foreword, summary, abstract, and overview, consider précis, “A concise or abridged statement or view”.

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up vote 4 down vote

How about an introduction:

3. An initial section of a book or article, which introduces the subject material.

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2  
Also foreword. Depends on how long it is and how much one wants it to stand out against the rest of the document by giving it a special name and formatting. – John Lawler Dec 5 '12 at 20:03
but i am not really introducing anything, more like providing instructions how to read the text to follow – amphibient Dec 5 '12 at 20:03
YESSSSS !! @JohnLawler -- please enter foreword as an answer and i will accept it -- PERFECT – amphibient Dec 5 '12 at 20:04
@JohnLawler Forewords are generally written by somebody other than the author who would follow it with a preface. – coleopterist Dec 5 '12 at 20:10
I would go with "Introduction" every time, especially for a whitepaper or outline. I do think "Overview" would work if the text truly provides an overview. Regarding the contents of the Introduction: If a document needs instructions on how to be read, perhaps the document needs to be rethought? Or perhaps the author is underestimating his or her readers. – Rebecca Wilson Dec 5 '12 at 22:36
up vote 6 down vote

You could call it "How to Consume this Material" or a slightly less formal rendition of this. One suggestion would be, "A Note to the Reader".

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